If you're having your kitchen refitted, you may wonder whether you should tip the fitters. Tipping tradesmen is not quite as ubiquitous as tipping in restaurants. Let's see what others do.
An average tip for kitchen fitters and contractors is less than 20% of the cost of the service, but no less than $20 total. While many contractors don’t expect tips for their service, people who are pleased typically do consider tipping.
Tipping can be confusing and even uncomfortable if all parties involved have different opinions on the subject. It can also be a nice way to show your appreciation for excellent service, but it certainly isn’t the only way to let them know you appreciate the work. Let’s look closer at tipping kitchen fitters and some other contractors that may be around the help out in your home.
A kitchen fitter has carefully measured and installed your new kitchen. Depending on the size of the job, it could be just some new cabinets, or it could be all new appliances and countertops. This is certainly no small job and one that you obviously want to be taken seriously. Finding a dedicated kitchen fitter takes a load off of the stress of getting everything just right.
There are a few important things to consider if you find yourself compelled to tip your kitchen fitter for their work. First and foremost, if you have contracted them through a company, you need to know if they are allowed to accept tips. Some businesses have a strict “no tips” policy, preventing the contractor from accepting the tip.
If the contractor is allowed to accept tips, then you may be wondering how much is appropriate. While a recent survey found that most contractors don’t expect tips, the general minimum expected tip is $20. It may be appropriate to include this extra tip if you find yourself exceptionally pleased with their work, or if they completed it faster than expected.
In restaurants, we have come to accept that 15% is a standard medium-sized tip. There aren’t as clear-cut industry standards for tipping kitchen fitters, but generally, it would be less than 20% of the cost of the job. Fitting a kitchen is considerably more expensive than your average meal out, so topping out the tip at 20% is more than sufficient.
We’ve already mentioned two instances in which you may feel inclined to offer your kitchen fitter a tip. If you find you are exceptionally pleased with the job or service, or you find that they completed the work faster than expected. There are some other times it may be appropriate to offer a tip.
If you happen to have a longstanding relationship with this contractor, then maybe you want to consider a holiday bonus instead of a tip. Perhaps they fitted your kitchen, but they also come over to do some other work around the house. When the end of the year rolls around, maybe offer up a lump sum bonus instead of small tips each time.
It could also be something that is predetermined in your contract or initial agreement. Consider adding a clause to the contract stating something like, “if the work is completed earlier than this date, then a bonus of this amount will be paid.” This eliminates any hassle or possible discomfort when it comes to surprise tipping since all parties have read and agreed on it in advance.
In all of these different instances, you can stick to the idea of being less than 20% of the total job. Work around the house can start to add up quickly, so depending on your means, consider a 10% tip to show you appreciation.
Maybe you are uncomfortable with the idea of tipping your kitchen fitter, or maybe they work for a company that doesn’t allow them to accept tips. Despite all of this, you want to be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their work. Well, thankfully a monetary tip isn’t the only way to let them know they did a great job.
Leaving a positive online review is perhaps an even better way to show your appreciation than a cash tip. Most people turn to online reviews now as they search for goods and services, and these same people are far more inclined to hire someone with more high-quality reviews.
Your positive online review will drive more clients to your fitter, helping them out more in the long run. Try to add your review across different platforms including Google, Facebook, and Yelp, or wherever you found their services.
If you have hired a kitchen fitter through a company with a strict “no tips” policy, but you still want to let them know how much you appreciate them, consider contacting their supervisor directly. Let them know that while you understand that they have a strict “no tips” policy, you really appreciate their work and believe they deserve to be recognized for it.
Leaving your feedback with the company can help the contractor grow within the company over time. This could mean a higher salary and better benefits. Your positive feedback could have a larger impact than you may ever know.
A kitchen fitter’s salary will depend on their level of experience and if they are self-employed or not. If a kitchen fitter is just getting started and is working for a larger company, then they will be closer to the lower end of things. On the flip side, a master kitchen fitter who is self-employed will be at the top of the possible income bracket.
Some examples of how much a kitchen fitter can make include:
These numbers are sure to fluctuate based on any number of different factors, but they are helpful base points to have as you consider leaving a tip. The caliber of work scales along with the pay, and so your tip should consider the quality of their work.
Tips are directly related to the amount of work done and the quality of the work done. Tipping is not as standardized in the home improvement marketplace as it is in some other industries, but that doesn’t mean you should never do it. Tipping your kitchen fitter more than $20, but less than 20% of the total cost is a wide range, but it is a place to start.
Try starting at taking 10% of the total cost and think about whether or not that feels fair to you, or if you have suddenly driven up your cost beyond your means. Tips are lovely and gracious, but they shouldn’t push you to make financial decisions you aren’t equipped to make. You kitchen fitter likely isn’t expecting a tip, so any amount in that range will always be appreciated.